London FireDrone project seeks to lower risks to firefighters

Researchers at the UK’s Imperial College London have created a prototype drone specially designed to withstand intense heat, and which through continued development may be produced as a vital data gathering tool for firefighters to minimize risk factors in various blaze-battling scenarios.

The less than fancifully named FireDrone project aims to assist firefighters in a variety of situations they currently must enter with limited or no advance information about threats to themselves or potential victims trapped by flames. The UAV has been constructed using highly heat-resistant materials, permitting it to fly into blazes and gather a range of visual and environmental data for use by first responders preparing emergency intervention.

Initial testing of the craft has demonstrated its capabilities to continue functioning amid 200°C heat for 10 minutes.

Led by Professor Mirko Kovac, researchers at Imperial College London’s Aerial…